James “Jim” Ertl
James “Jim” Paul Ertl, 87, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City. Jim’s wish was to donate his body to science. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. prior to the service at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Jim was born on July 6, 1936, to David and Mary (Vit) Ertl. He grew up in Fort Dodge. After graduating from high school he served in the U.S. Army, Air Force and the Air National Guard. He was united in marriage to Barbara Berry on June 4, 1960, in Duncombe, IA. They made their home in Fort Dodge until Jim was called back into the Air Force, serving in Denver, CO. Upon returning to Iowa, Jim started his first restaurant, the Town House Cafe in Belmond. He then continued in the restaurant business in Fort Dodge, owning, operating, and managing numerous businesses with his friend and business partner Tom Cairney. He was known by the Colonial Inn, the Fort Dodge Country Club, Dairy Queen’s, Ertl Seasoning, Catering, and running the Iowa Central Community College Food Service. Over the years he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and the Elks Club. Jim enjoyed playing golf, gardening, traveling the world and loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife Barb of Fort Dodge; children Jay Ertl and Shawn (Alan) Rodenborn of Fort Dodge, Cam (Renee) Ertl and Barry Ertl of Peoria, AZ; grandchildren Nicholas Ertl, Cody (Jessica) Rodenborn, Courtney (Amanda) Ertl, Brennan Ertl, Gavin Ertl, Emma (Taryn) Ertl and Caleb (Kaetlyn) Ertl; great-grandchildren Wesley and Ryder Rodenborn and Beckett Winkler; his siblings Nancy (Bob) Horstmeyer, Margaret Laird and Charles (Judy) Ertl. Jim was preceded in death by his son Tad; parents David and Mary; siblings Mona Drown, Bettye Moberly, David Ertl, John “Jack” Ertl, Joyce Ashton, Veronica Lunn, Fran Menefee and Jerry Ertl.
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.